CAWLS is growing and an exciting opportunity has developed to join our Alice Springs team.

CAWLS is a busy community legal practice with a vibrant and dedicated team committed to providing representation and excellent outcomes for our clients through law reform, legal advice and representation, community legal education and outreach. Many of our clients are women who have experienced or are experiencing Domestic and Family violence.

We are seeking a self-motivated candidate with excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and a strong work ethic. The right candidate will be passionate about improving access to justice for women in Central Australia.

Excellent ongoing training and on the job support will be provided to the successful applicant.

Total effective package includes: base salary, superannuation, leave loading and salary packaging options. Annual progression within the salary scale is subject to satisfactory performance.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direction of the Management team, the client support worker will assist the Alice Springs lawyers & Financial Counsellor, to provide services for CAWLS clients on a needs basis. You will also assist the lawyers with legal administration support and front of house with general support.

The Client Support Worker will be proactive in their work, working in partnership with colleagues and clients from a strengths based perspective including the following key duties;

• Assist clients and lawyers during advice clinics, outreach visits and at other locations as directed.
• Provide non legal support to CAWLS clients including with Centrelink & housing applications, facilitate assisted referrals and other support, based on the needs of the clients, including travel to and from appointments.
• Provide non legal support to CAWLS clients, including at interagency support meetings.
• Facilitate access to CAWLS legal, Financial Counselling and other services.
• Assist clients to access assistance from other services such as emergency housing, food vouchers etc.
• Establish and maintain accurate client files in line with standards, Privacy Principles and CAWLS procedures.
• Collect & enter required data for internal data collection systems.
• Report any Work Health Safety issues that may arise or come to attention in the work environment.
• Support the administration team in front of house/general administration duties when required/tasked to do.
• Participate in projects and activities contributing to the promotion of CAWLS.
• Comply with the requirements of any applicable legislation relating to the legal practice
• Other duties as directed.

The Client Support Worker will also:

• Actively participate in regular supervision and team meetings.
• Provide statistics and reports as requested.
• Participate in staff development and in-service training as required.
• Ensure compliance with CAWLS policies and procedures.
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times.
• Maintain a teamwork approach at all times.

ABOUT YOU

Our client support worker must have a passion for assisting women to gain access to the legal system so their rights are considered, respected and prioritised.

Please consider the following criteria carefully, and demonstrate how you address all of these qualities in your cover letter along with the selection criteria included in the Job Description:

• Understanding of cross cultural awareness and sensitivity and ability to work effectively with culturally diverse people.

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues women face in seeking access to justice particularly indigenous women and those whose first language is not English.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of cultural and social groups.

• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship management skills with the capacity to work as a member of a team and ability to liaise with stakeholders in a confident and professional manner.
• Demonstrated skills in administration and computer literacy including Microsoft Word & Excel, Outlook email and database entry.
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the issue of confidentiality and ability to be discreet.
• Proven capacity to work as a member of a small team within a diverse environment.
• Personal commitment to reflection and self-care to build resilience and minimise the impact of vicarious trauma.
• Current NT Driver’s License, NT Ochre Card & Criminal History check (or the ability to obtain) & current COVID19 vaccination.

There is no application close date and interviews will be held on a rolling basis, candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. A detailed position description is attached for your noting.

If you have any queries about the position, please contact Alice de Brenni on (08) 89524055. We look forward to hearing from you.